Joining Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. has been a homecoming of sorts for David Robson, who was recently named chief operating officer at the Detroit firm.

Robson, a Pennsylvania native, took his first job out of college at Bethlehem Steel helping build steel plants, a job that eventually brought him to Detroit as a project engineer working with the automakers.

An interest in business management led him to University of Michigan, where he earned his MBA while working for Bethlehem.

Then General Motors Corp. came calling, and Robson's Detroit stint was over in favor of finance and strategy work in New York, along with a three-year assignment in Brussels, Belgium.

"I still consider myself a New Yorker at heart, but Michigan is so great; recreation, culture - and it's great to be in a place where so much technology is taking place," Robson said. "There is so much technology generated in the auto industry and I don't know if people have a feel for that, but it's true."

He returned to Detroit for a few years as GM executive director of worldwide real estate but then went to Boston as senior vice president, CFO and CIO of Pembroke Real Estate Inc.

"And then this came up and it seemed like a great opportunity - one of the nation's leading firms," Robson said. "They have a long history, a great platform and great attorneys with varied backgrounds. Some of my most interesting collaborations have been with attorneys."

Robson will work with the firm's CEO and the five-person management administration to oversee all of the firm's offices.

Miller Canfield, Michigan's largest law firm, has nearly 450 attorneys and paralegals and seven offices in Michigan as well as offices in Chicago; New York City; Cambridge, Mass.; Naples, Fla.; Windsor, Ontario; and in Gdynia, Wroclaw, and Warsaw, Poland.
"I would say I bring a broad business perspective, working in a lot of functions, different environments and a lot of different places," said Robson.

INSIGHTSBest way to keep competitive edge: Listen and learn.Personal hero: My parents, a number of business mentors.How do you motivate people: Create opportunities for learning and growth.How do you motivate yourself: By the opportunity to learn something new each day.Three greatest passions: Learning, travel, golf.Most unique office decor: Painting of a steel plant in which I once worked.Favorite hobby:Golf.

JUDGMENT CALLSBest business decision: Michigan Business School.Biggest management myth: Trends always continue in a straight line, or recent market experience is the best predictor of the future.What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago? Trust your judgments.Hot stock in your portfolio: Gold.Word that best describes you: Balanced.

CONFESSIONSWhat keeps you up at night? I sleep pretty well.Pet peeve: Clutter.Guilty pleasure: I love pizza.First job: I was a caddie at Saucon Valley Country Club.First choice for a new career: I'd play golf if I had any skill.

TREASURESFavorite cause: World hunger.Favorite book: "The System of the World" by Neil Stephenson.Favorite movie: "Cool Hand Luke."What's on your iPod/car radio dial? Business news.What do you do to recharge your batteries? Hit the gym.Favorite restaurant: Sel de la Terre in Boston.Wheels: SAAB 9-5.